Congressman Platts Announces Academy Nominations from 19th District

27 Area Students Receive Nominations for Service Academy Appointments

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Todd Platts (PA-19) has awarded service academy nominations to 27 outstanding students from Adams, York and Cumberland counties.  Students are selected for nomination based on the combination of excellence in academic accomplishments, extra-curricular involvement, recommendations from school and community leaders, and interviews. Applicants should also demonstrate a desire to fulfill a long-term commitment to serving the United States in the Armed Forces.

"I am pleased to have the privilege of nominating outstanding young residents to the United States Service Academies," said Congressman Todd Platts. "The young men and women I nominated this year have proven themselves to be excellent students and leaders in their schools and communities.  Their desire to serve the United States at this critical time in our nation's history should be an inspiration to us all."

Eight students received nominations to more than one academy: Matthew Biesecker of Lewisberry, the son of Harry and Linda Biesecker and a senior at Red Land High School, received nominations to the U.S. Military Academy (West Point, NY) and the U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD).  Lucas Forcey of Delta, the son of Jeffrey and Ann Forcey and a senior at Red Lion Christian School, received nominations to the U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO.) and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY).    Jeffrey Frantz of East Berlin, the son of Dennis and Janet Frantz and a senior at Bermudian Springs High School, received nominations to the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.  Donika Mooney of Hanover, the daughter of John and Tyann Mooney and a senior at Mercersburg Academy, received nominations to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy.  Nicholas Rackley of Enola, the son of Georgia and Joel Rackley and a senior at East Pennsboro Area High School, received nominations to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy.  Kurt Walker of York, the son of Donald and Janet Walker and a senior at Red Lion Area Senior High School, received nominations to the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.  Patrick Wentzel of Etters, the son of William and Carol Wentzel and a senior at Red Land High School, received nominations to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.  Patrick McCarthy of Etters, the son of Donald and Emily McCarthy and a senior at Red Land High School, received nominations to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. 

Seven students received nominations to the U.S. Military Academy: Michael Baum of York, the son of Claude Robert Jr. and Amy Baum and a senior at Central York High School; Andrew Dill of Etters, the son of James and Virginia Dill and a senior at Red Land High School; Thomas Kelley of New Cumberland, the son of Thomas Kelley Sr. and Tammy Kelley-Snyder and a senior at Harrisburg Academy; Zachary March of York, the son of Randy and Paula March and a senior at West York Area High School;  Molly Musselman of Mechanicsburg, the daughter of Will and Jude Musselman and a senior at Cedar Cliff High School;  Jonathan Waltz of Mechanicsburg, the son David and Janice Waltz and a senior at Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School;  and Daniel Willich of York, the son of Steven and Cynthia Willich, a graduate of Eastern York High School, and currently a student at the United States Military Academy Preparatory School.

Five students received nominations to the U.S. Air Force Academy: William Doll of Carlisle, the son of William J. Doll, Sr. and Barbara George and a senior at Carlisle High School; Christian Drescher of York, the son of Scott and Rai Drescher and a senior at Central York High School; Andrew Layman of Boiling Springs, the son of Stephen and Vivian Layman and a senior at Boiling Springs High School; Benjamin Moore of Gettysburg, the son of Timothy and Brenda Moore and a senior at La Cueva High School (Albuquerque, NM); and Aaron Price of Orrtanna, the son of Laura McKean, a graduate of Gettysburg Area High School and a student at the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School.

Two students received nominations to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: Jared Fassnacht of York, the son of Kurt and Sharon Fassnacht and a senior at Red Lion Area Senior High School; and Bryon Long of York, the son of James and Susan Long and a senior at Central York High School.

Five students received nominations to the U.S. Naval Academy: Felecia Adams of  Mechanicsburg, the daughter of John White and Gerry Lynn Adams and a senior at Mechanicsburg Area High School; Kyle Dute of Dover, the son of Kelley Dute and a senior at Dover Area High School; Matthew Pocius of York, the son of Victor and Anita Pocius and a senior at York Catholic High School; Max Thompson of Mechanicsburg, the son of Jeff and Gail Thompson and a senior at Mechanicsburg Area High School; and Hayes Winik of Glen Rock, the son of Crispin Sartwell and Marion Winik and a senior at Susquehannock Senior High School.

The nomination process begins in the Fall of each year.  Each member of Congress is allowed five appointees in each service academy at any one time.  Nominations do not guarantee admittance to the service academies, but all of the U.S. Service Academies, except for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, require a Congressional or Vice Presidential nomination for admission.  Each service academy selects their incoming freshman class from the outstanding students who have received nominations from Members of Congress and/or the Vice President of the United States and who have met other rigorous criteria in academics and physical endurance.

Students interested in applying for an Academy Nomination from Congressman Platts for the Class of 2007 must submit a complete application to Congressman Platts by October 1, 2006.  Detailed information on the application process and a copy of the nomination application can be found on Congressman Platts' web site at www.house.gov/platts or by calling his office at 717-600-1919.